Instrument for piercing and closing metallic receptacles



Mai 22;1928.

G. L. ANDERSON INSTRUMENT FOR PIERCING AND CLOSING METALLI C RECEPTACLES Filed April 23, 1926 gvweutoz GRACE LA/vomaa/v. @xgher Gwen 1mg Patented May 22, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

GRACE annnason, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

INSTRUMENT FOB PIEBCING AND CLOSING METALLIC REGEPTAGLES.

Application filed April 23, 1926. Serial No. 104,025.

This invention relates to implements or instruments for puncturin and piercing metallic receptacles and the ike.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a useful instrument for piercing the top of a metallic receptacle, such as a milk can for instance, in at least two places, beingdfurther adapted to close the openings so ma e.

A further object of my invention is to provide a puncturing or piercing instrument at the character above described including provision for cutting the metal of a receptacle so as to enlarge either of the punctures made thereby, and for lifting or prying off the lid or cover of such a receptacle.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention that they may be able to embody and adapt the same for the various uses to which it may be put, drawings depicting a preferred form have been annexed hereto and constitute a part of my disclosure in which Fig. 1 is a bottom plan of the tool or instrument.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the application of my invention and its use in connection with a conventional type of metallic receptacle, such as a milk can.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, slightly modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an edge view.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 5 designates the body of a blank formed from a piece of rigid metal, the length of which is preferably longer than the diameter of a conventional type of milk can. One end of the blank is cut and shaped to provide an enlarged, segmental head 6, the edge 7 of which conforms to the curvilinear edge of such a can as referred to.

In the form of the invention shown by Fig. 1, on the respective and opposite sides of the blank and in proximity to the segmental head, there are provided the curved projections 8, 9 which provide recesses 10 whereby the instrument may be utilized as a bottle 0 ener. The opposite end 11 of the tool is ormed with an eye 12 whereby it may be supported on a hook or nail for m stance, when not in use, the pomt or blunt end 13 being adapted to score. or pry beneath a groove in the metal of the can and for other pur ses.

The blank is further punched out to provide a tongue 14 and a tongue 15 adjacent the edge 0 the enlarged head, said tongues being so spaced that when the instrument is pressed down on the top of a can, the said top will be pierced or punctured at diametrically opposite points. It will be understood that one of the openings so made in the can 16 permits of the ouring of the liquid therefrom and the ot er is provided for air.

In Fig. 3, I have shown a slightly modified form of the invention in which the blank is provided with pointed projections, extending outwardl toward the segmental head, as indicated y numerals 17, 18, the inner edges of said projections being shar ened as at 19 so that the instrument may e used as a cutting tool. These pointed projections or cutting blades-17 and 18 are of considerable importance, and are cooperative with the respective guiding or gaging lugs 20, as presently explained.

It will be observed that in both forms of the invention, the head 6 is provided with depending lugs at the extreme points 20 which are adapted to engage the peripheral edge of the can and to act as a gage or guide whilethe piercing tongues are being forcibly urged downward on the can top .to pierce and puncture the same. This permits the openings in the can to be made at diametrically opposite points simultaneously. When the can is not being used, the openings therein may be kept closed by placing the instrument thereon, the tongues entering the openings thus made. Slots as that shown at 21 in Figure 4, are adapted to grip the rim of the can when the implement is in use for cutting purposes.

lVhen it is desired to pour only a small quantity of liquid from the can, as in the case of condensed or evaporated milk to be poured into a cup of cofiee or tea, and then close the punctures by means of the piercing tongues, it is obviously not desirable to have the unctures larger than the puncturing or piercing tongues. On the other hand,

when it is desired to empty the can immediately and quickly, it is necessary to enlarge at least one of the punctures, and for this purpose, the cutting blades 17 and 18, i or either of them, can be quickly and easily applied for enlarging either of the punctures to the desired extent. In this connection, .it should be understood that the can can be opened with the minimum exertion and the minimum dangcr'of hurting the hand of the 4 puncture which is desired to be enlarged;

for obviously,-by this means, no pressure will be required upon either edge of the device While inserting the cutting blade, in contradistinction to the ery considerable pressure which would be required for forclng the cutting blade'through the unpunctured can-top.

When the cutting blade has been inserted' through either puncture until the adjacent gaging lug rests upon the rim of the can, such gaging lug acts as a fulcrum to cooperate with the cutting blade and the handle portion of the device, While such handle s raised for forcing the cutting edge of the bladezupward through the contiguous metal of the can-top.

Having shown and described my invention What I new claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the U. S. is:

In an instrun'icnt for piercing and closing metallic receptacles, an elongated member formed of a blank of rigid sheet metal and including spaced gaging lugs turned down at one end thereof, a piercing tongue struck out and turned down from the end portion which includes said lugs, a second piercing tongue struck out and turned down from the intermediate part of said member at a considerable distance from the first said piercing tongue, and a cutting-blade extending from an edge portion adjacent to one of said gaging lugs and spaced therefrom and cooperative therewith to enlarge the open ing made by one of said piercing t0ngues,

substantially as specified.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 12th day of April A. D. 1926.

GRACE L. ANDERSON. 

